Sandigan affirms raps vs Iligan City lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has decided to proceed with the trial of Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao in connection with alleged anomalous land lease deals the city government entered into with a private corporation when he was a councilor in 2013.

In a 16-page resolution released yesterday, the third division of the  anti-graft court junked the motion to dismiss the case filed by Siao and former councilor Michelle Sweet-Booc, saying the arguments they raised should be brought up during the trial.

“The presence or absence of the elements of the crime charged, existence of good faith or lack thereof, merits and validity of a party’s defense or accusations as well as the admissibility of testimonies and evidence are matters of defense and evidentiary in nature that are best passed upon during the trial,” the resolution penned by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang stated.

Siao and Booc were indicted along with former Iligan City mayor Lawrence Cruz last February for signing contracts with Salvatori Development Corp. (SDC) for the lease of seven parcels of land in Barangay Tubod which was used as a bus terminal.

The ombudsman said there was no public bidding, adding that some officials and stockholders of SDC are Cruz’s relatives.

The ombudsman said Siao, Booc and nine other former councilors approved three resolutions authorizing Cruz to enter into the lease contracts.